THE MAGAZINE 



OF 



HORTICULTUR 



JANUARY, 1850. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. A Retrospective Vieio of the Progress of Horticul- 

 ture in the United States, duri?ig the year 1849. By the 

 Editor. 



Fifteen years having now elapsed since the first publica- 

 tion of the Magazine, a brief review of the progress of Hor- 

 ticuhure during that period, and the influence it has continued' 

 to exert in its behalf, may not be out of place. How great 

 and rapid has been the advancement of the art of cultiva- 

 tion during that period ! If we look back and compare the 

 variety of fruits and vegetables which were to be found in 

 our gardens, fifteen years ago, with those which now fill our 

 collections, how striking the difference ! From the few for- 

 eign productions which were then to be found only in the 

 gardens of amateurs, have sprung into existence, through the 

 skill of our cultivators, hundreds of beautiful flowers and 

 delicious fruits, which are now spread over the whole coun- 

 try. From the single wild-rose, which luxuriates on our 

 western prairies, have been reared the double and brilliant' 

 varieties which already ornament every garden. From the 

 single camellia have been raised exquisite seedlings, equalling 

 those of Chinese origin, and surpassing all that Europe, for 

 nearly half a century, and with the aid of the most skilful 

 cultivators, had been able to produce. From the half a doz- 

 en pears which then made up the sum of American varieties 

 worth growing, more than fifty now enrich our collections. 



VOL. XVI. NO. I. 1 



